RP PETRA: Forterra
Amitoj took note that you'd noticed what he'd tried to hide. "We'll talk about that later."
Amitoj mixed easily with the villagers, quite comfortable with the 'stony' nature of the Filfeex, although the affection still was a little stiff from him.
The feats of synchronization were interesting, to stay the least, especially with the entire of troop of Merits gathered around a single of of their number, who then offered a tiny paw to match with the Kestos of Ashton.
And won, swiftly. A rematch was issued, with Ashton not going easy on the little bunny, which . . . won again.
"My little guys can resonate multiplicatively when they are in close proximity, boosting effectiveness in most any venture. I'm sure the Filfeex could do similarly, given a few months of practice."
Some of the young Filfeex had started bonding with individual Merits, feeding them and brushing dirt from their hides.
As things were winding down, Amitoj found you again. "I'd like to discuss a little bit about my culture with you," he said. "Specifically, why I'm very glad you met me first, not a female Marshal."
He went on to explain that male Marshals like him were generally more concerned with protecting their troop than anything else, which required they be empathetic and not scary. Not so with female Marshals, who often left their Troops with a collective warren and went out hunting by their lonesome.
Female marshals killed for fun, and often. They loved 'avenging' minor issues with murder. When they found - or rather, tracked down - a male of the species, they would, as he described it, "Press their affection." This could be a rather traumatic event for the male Marshal, who would yield in exchange for being able to send his troop safely away from the female Marshal, so they wouldn't see what happened. Their culture was strictly matriarchal.
"So, when . . . I say I feel affection for you, in that way, it doesn't mean I'm ever going to do anything about it. I have no idea how I would even go about it, or what the result would be, or anything. I've spent my life constantly on the hunt because it was the best way to avoid the only idea of 'romance' I have.
"If you ever do feel something back, please don't just act on it. We'll need to talk about it. Extensively. And . . go very slow. And only after we've been friends for good while. Hunted whatever threatens this peace . . together.
"Especially since you're my goddess, now."